Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Lucky Number 13

So, by around this time tomorrow, Day 13 post transplant........



they're DISCHARGING ME!!!!! Wahooooo!

For the last two days my blood counts have been creeping up, which is a VERY good thing in this circumstance, indicating that....ladies and gentleman....WE HAVE ENGRAFTMENT! This means that those blessed little donor cells have started to grow in my bones, they are hangin' out with my left over cells for the moment, and have begun churning out brand spanking new cells. My WBC (white cells) shot up literally overnight, meaning that I'm a less of a risk of infection, so it's safe for them to let me go. Those little white cells have also done their job by almost wiping out that horrendous pain I was in. Like, overnight. Amazing.

Tomorrow morning the IV team will pay me a visit to change my CVC from a triple lumen to a double lumen (which is funny because I've only had two functioning lumens since transplant day) and then, as long as I don't have any fevers or rashes (and I'll try not to), Mom and Phil will be taking my bald self OUTTA HERE.

About 70 percent of me is totally thrilled that this has gone so well, and the other 30 percent is scared shitless. Completely shitless. Now starts the super scary part where Laura becomes a complete germaphobe/ gvhd watchdog for the next 88 days BUT I will be a well-rested germaphobe. Lemme just tell you, these folks have not let me sleep through the night for the last 19 nights. Midnight vitals and weight, 4 am vitals and weight, 5 am blood draw, 6 or 7 am resident visit (word to the wise, residents: you do NOT need to turn on every light in the room to ask me if I've gone to the bathroom. my answer will be the same in the dark), 8 am vitals, 9 am meds, 10 am rounds...= sleepy Laura. It is going to be so, so sweet to finally curl up with the hubs in the same bed after nearly a month. If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times (and meant it!): it's the small things that matter and sustain:)

At the moment, Mom and Phil are busy preparing to bust me out, renting a car, cleaning the apartment, changing air filters, all of those loving things they are so amazing for doing. Thanks Mom and Phil, I love you guys:)

Until tomorrow, when I get to smell FRESH AIR AGAIN, Much Love Philly (and beyond), thank you for everything!!!!

16 comments:

  1. YES, YES, YES!! As soon as I read your FB status, I came here to read the post that I hoped was going to be here....and promptly teared up! I'm so ecstatic for you and Phil and the rest of your family. Your positive and beautiful energy and spirit have shone through this entire time and you were rewarded with a record breaking engraftment time - go girl!

    So glad that you will be comfortable with your loved ones outside of the hospital, as nice as the staff seems from your posts. Enjoy the sleep!

    Much much love,
    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  2. wow. i just need to pray a big prayer of gratitude like i've never prayed before. not even kidding. i can't stop crying, i'm so wound up. can't be eloquent, can't find cute/amusing/funny words. just plain happy for you, my sweet friend. wow.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm sooo excited for you Laura! Happy, Happy News!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Laura!
    I'm glad to hear that things are going so well for you! We're all keeping updated through these blogs and it's good to hear that you're doing so well! Good luck with you're procedures, and have fun outside of the hospital. We all wish you the best of luck, and hope to see you back home soon!
    - Matt S.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Laura

    I am soooo glad for you! Hooray! Are you so excited to sit in the sunshine? Wheeee :)

    I would love to come visit, when can you have visitors?

    xo
    j

    ReplyDelete
  6. i am BEYOND thrilled for you! BEYOND! you are amazing! xoxoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  7. Exhale. Part of an exhale anyway, while still holding the remaining breath...
    But be sure to breathe in the fresh air and bask in the sunlight (near the pool soon?). That sounds healing, doesn't it? I'm sure that your discipline and focus will carry you through the rest if the way. Love, Chris

    ReplyDelete
  8. Laura: This is the news that I (and all of us) have been waiting for. You sure know how to make a grandmother cry. You should know that you have been doing that a lot lately. With every advance, no matter how small, the tears fall freely. I just love good tears. I know that it is not very far from the hospital to the apartment, but, tell Phil to drive very slowly so that you can enjoy the outside world. Love you lots, Nan

    ReplyDelete
  9. Woohoo!!! Fantabulous news! Enjoy every sweet breath of fresh air. Feel free to be a germaphobe and to tell others around you to respect that - but revel in the freedom to do so out of the hospital. Wishing you continued courage and strength-- JB (and TB and little HB)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am so excited for you!!!!! I hope you enjoy all the sunshine and fresh air!

    ReplyDelete
  11. WOW! Hooray for the good news! Be well.

    ReplyDelete
  12. FANFUCKINGTASTIC!!!!!!! Great news!! xoxo, Brett

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wow. Glad to see you are heading out for fresh air tomorrow Laura. I needed to wash my eyeballs today, so thanks for the tears!

    Lisa in Auburn WA

    ReplyDelete
  14. Engraftment! I have never been happier to learn a new word. I have been out of the loop, because Hurricane Earl rearranged our vacation for us, then school started, and I was catching up on over a week of posts, when I saw ENGRAFTMENT! My new favorite word. Puts hurricanes in perspective. Loved your post on what constitutes "yoga."

    ReplyDelete
  15. Way to go Laura!!! I'm sooooo happy for you. That's what everyone has been waiting to hear. You've come a long way baby---keep going!!! Just hope all our love and prayers can keep up with you.
    Love, Jeanne & Jeff

    ReplyDelete
  16. fantastic news! I am so happy for you and your family. lots of love!

    ReplyDelete